Control unit for line casting and composing machines



Aug. 31, 1937.

H. L. KRUM ET AL CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed March 23, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 T: vnw T3 m3 8v v NN\ M 5 I v I I II as I N O v INVENTOR5 HOW/QED L/(EUM 415527 f/. @5755? BY/ I ATTORNEY Aug. 31, 1937. Hi KRUM r AL 2,091,286

CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed March 23, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS HOWQEO LKEUM BY 418527 1% EE/BEB ATTORNEY Aug. 31, 1937. H. L. KRUM El AL 2,091,236

CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed March- 23, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS HOW/22D L KQUM Aug. 31, 1937. H 1.. KRUM ET AL 2,091,286 CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed March 25, 1932 8 Sheets-sheet 4 INVENTORS NOWQPD L/IEUM BY 1445527 h. PE/BEQ A-TTORNE Aug. 31, 1937. H. L. KRUM El AL 2,091,286

CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed March 25, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 HOW/2E0 L/(EUM BY 445597 H. P674552 ATTORNE Aug. 31, 1937. H. 1.. KRUM ET AL 2,091,286

CONTROL-UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed March 25, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 57 5 /32 22 6/ 67 65 25 26 y 1 o a Q 59 u 73 \27 69 62 I 76 7 E13 7/ INVENTORS 53 73 2 7a How/m0 LJfEl/M BY 445 527- es/aae 651 75 77 70 a2 I A'lTORN Aug. 31, 1937. H. L. KRUM ET AL 2,091,286

' CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPQSING MACHINES Filed March 23, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS HOWAEO L KIPUM BY fllBEET H. B67552 Aug. 31, 1937. H. L. KRUM El AL CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed March 25, 1952 8- Sheets-Sheet 8 913 I l ty WA Patented Aug. 31, 1937 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CAST1NG AND COMPOSING MACHINES Application March 23,

48 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in line casting and composing machines and more particularly to automatic control mechanisms therefor.

Among the objects of this invention one is to provide an automatic control mechanism that may be applied to standard types of line casting machines without changing the manual operating features and retaining the characteristic 10 features peculiar to these machines.

Another object is the provision of an automatic control mechanism that may be applied to a principal machine, such as the present existing line casting machines without materially altering 15 the machines.

Additional objects of the present invention are to provide an automatic control unit compactly fitted to the principal machine to prevent interference with manual operation of the machine 20 and to provide a unit which may be applied to the machine with a minimum of alterations and rebuilding of the machine, thus reducing the cost of the automatic control units and their application to present existing line casting machines.

In general the present invention includes a selector mechanism featuring an improved type of selector bar assembly that is positive in operation and sufiiciently compact to be disposed beneath the standard keyboard mechanism and to so still permit manual operation. The power distribution is conveniently located at one side of the machine and constitutes a small compact mechanism easily accessible for purposes of adjustment or periodic attention. The power for operating the entire unit is derived by means of a pulley and belt connection with the intermediate shaft of the principal machine.

The unit is controlled by a perforated control form which may be prepared by the operation i of a machine such as disclosed in Patent No.

2,000,029, granted May '7, 1935, to Edward E. Kleinschmidt et a1., and which is fed through a record reading device wherein there is provided a plurality of feeler members each one of which as) corresponds to a position in the tape that may or may not be provided with a, perforation depending upon the particular code combination that is being read. Upon each momentary arrest of the control form the several feelers sense 5 the code combination perforated in the particu- 1932, Serial No. 600,606

lar position and upon the next movement the combination is transferred to an intermediate set of.:storage devices following which a set of code bars are also positioned in accordance with such code combination. The code bars are provided 5 with notches on both top and bottom edges thereof and in this manner they accommodate a dou ble alignment of selectable elements. In the preferred practice of the present invention the selectable elements are alternately and oppositely disposed with respect to each other in scissorslike fashion constituting two rows which are movable towardeach other when urged into selected-position. For each permutation of the code bars one and only one of these selectable elements may be placed into selected position and when any particular one is thus selected it constitutes an interposition means between an intermittently operated striker bar and a correspondi-ngone of a plurality of keylevers associated with the particular function to be performed. The motion of the commonstriker element is imparted to the particular keylever as a sharp staccato blow simulating the touch of the operators finger when it is manually operated by means of the keylevers. A cam shaft which is constantly rotated during the normal operation of the record reading device serves to reset the selectable elements and also to actuate the common striker bar and is timed with respect 39 to the operative cycle to perform two complete selective functions for each revolution. It is a noteworthy feature that by virtue of this practice the driving elements need not be moved at a rapid rate since all of the necessary functions are accomplished within a half revolution of the primary driven shaft. While the power take-off mechanism in immediate communication with the principal machine is a constantly rotating shaft the driving mechanism is distributed over 40 two subordinate shafts which are alternatively rotatable as will more clearly appear in the course of the detailed description following hereinafter. One of these subordinate shafts operates that part of the mechanism that has to do with the composing machine while the other sub- :ordinateshaft operates that part of the mechanism that transfers the assembled matrices from the composing machine to the mold.

.This transfer mechanism, which is referred to in the art as the assembling elevator, is operated in the present system under control of a special code perforation in the control form. During its actuation the operation of the rest of the control unit is suspended but at the conclusion of its performance the operation of the rest of the unit is reinstated automatically. Since there are several possibilities of interference with the complete operation of the elevator and its associated mechanism, frictional disengagement means is provided which, in the event of any such interference, interrupts the mechanical connection between the source of power and the elevator.

A better understanding of the present invention will be obtained from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein,

Fi l is a plan view of a portion of the principal machine illustrated in Fig. 2 showing the control unit in plan elevation.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a standard line casting machine having applied thereto an automatic control unit embodying the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view with parts broken away illustrating the permutation selector mechanism of the control unit.

Fig. l is a fragmentary detail front elevation with parts broken away illustrating the selector mechanism and particularly the resilient fingers.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the control unit showing the assembler elevator partially in section.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a modified keyboard base casting showing the application of the preferred unit thereto.

7 is a transverse sectional view through the keyboard and matrix release mechanism taken approximately on line l'l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view illustrating the effect of any resistance on the part of an automatic keylever to the motion imparted by the common striker.

Fig. 9 a detail perspective view of the power take -off and associated mechanism, including the record reader and the transfer members.

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective View of the step- :iy-step feed mechanism which advances the tape through the record reader.

ll. is a sectional view taken on line ll- |l of Fig. 1 illustrating an elevator operating shaft and manual control handle.

Fig. is a detail sectional view of part of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 11 in operated position.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view similar to Fig. 12 illustrating the same mechanism under a different condition of operation.

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view taken on line 56-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view taken on line 5-55 of Fig. 1 illustrating the power take-off clutch control mechanism.

Fig. is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the record reader mechanism and associated parts.

Fig. 17 is a detail perspective view of the elevator selector bar blocking mechanism.

7 i3 is a detail sectional view taken approximaely on line 58-98 of Fig. 3 and illustrates the cam actuator of the common striker.

Fig. 19 is a detail perspective view of several matrices in two-position assembled relation.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate similar parts throughout, Fig. 1 illustrates generally the application of the present device to a line casting machine.

Framework In its preferred form the present invention comprises a unitary structure that is almost entirely supported on the main or principal framework 25, best indicated in Fig. 6. This framework is mounted beneath a standard keyboard 22. Fig. 2, customarily provided with line casting and composing machines. In order to more efficiently accommodate the selector mechanism to be described shortly hereinafter, a standard keyboard base casting 23, Fig. 6, is modified slightly by relocating a cross-support rib 24 rearwardly so as to admit of enough clearance between it and the elevator operating shaft 25 for passing the off-set portions 26 of the levers 2'! therebetween. While in the case of the majority of the weight bars 59 there is provided not only a manually operated keylever 57 but also an independent automatically operated lever 21, it will be noted that this is not true in the case of those characters whose manually operated keylevers are situated in the lower two of the six horizontal rows of keylevers, Fig. 7. In the case of these two rows of keylevers, instead of providing separate automatically operated levers 21, each keylcver 5? has been modified by the addition thereto of an off-set portion 26 generally similar to the corresponding portions 26 of the keylevers 2?, but in this case integrally formed with the manually operated keylevers. A pair of studs 28 are provided, one on each side of the base casting 23 for supporting the lug portions 29 while the elevator operating shaft sleeves 30 support the foremost lugs 3|. The major portion of the framework extends under the entire keyboard and supports among other things the permutation bars 32 and the selectable interposition bars The framework comprises two side frames M and 35 which by means of their portions 29 and El are adapted to receive studs 28 and elevator shaft sleeves 30 and thereby be supported and in turn support the rest of the unit mechanism.

Driving train A suitable driving pulley 35 is attached to the intermediate shaft 31 of the principal machine and drives through the medium of a pulley belt 38, a driven pulley wheel 39, and a constantly r0- tating shaft til better illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, which carries securely mounted to it two worm. gears 42 and 43. Worm gear 62 drives a worm wheel M, Fig. 14, which is freely mounted on a shaft 45 suitably journaled in bearings 46 that comprise part of the framework 2|. Worm gear 43 engages a worm wheel ll in the same manner as its associate driving worm 42 except that being of somewhat smaller diameter and bearing a correspondingly greater ratio to its driven wheel 41 it imparts a correspondingly slower motion to its driven shaft 48 than is imparted to the driven shaft 45. Each of the shafts 45 and 48 is coupled with its respective gear 4 and ll through spring loaded tooth clutches 49 and preferably of similar construction.

Shaft .5 carries three cams that operate the record reader mechanism 5 and will be referred to hereinafter as the record reader shaft, while additionally it also carries a driving gear 52 (see Fig. 1) that operates a cam shaft 53. Shaft 48 carries a cam 55 for operating the elevator mechanism and another cam 56 for disengaging its own driving connection and for controlling the driving connection to the record reader shaft 45 at the conclusion of each cycle of its own operation, and will be referred to hereinafter as the elevator cam shaft.

Keyboard control Referring now to Fig. 7, wherein a typical cross-section through the selector and matrix release mechanisms is indicated, attention is (iirooted to the standard keyboard construction in particular contemplation of which this structure has been designed. Keylevers iii pivoted on shafts 58 are suitably articulated to move members or weights 59 as at 65 admitting of considerable lost motion at their several points of articulation by virtue of excess clearance A particular touch is obtained by providing a uniform leverage ratio in all of the keylevers, although, as is readily seen, each horizontal row proceeding downwardly is progressively longer than its preceding one. The weights 59 are provided with several notches $2 so as to be adaptable to standard replacement in connection with other of the several keylevers; Additional levers Zli pivoted at 64 are mounted for engagement with the lowermost notch 52 of certain of the several weights 5?] and are provided with offset extensions 26 that protrude through a panel 63 of the keyboard. Thus, it will be seen that as to the release of matrices controlled by keylevers in the upper four rows, Fig. '7, either the manual control levers El or the automatic control levers 21 may be operated independently and that in so doing the other or unoperated of the two re mains inert and does not in any way enter into motion either associatively or collaterally, but as to the release of matrices controlled by the keylevers in the lower two rows a single lever is utilized for operation both manually and automatically.

An alignment of bell crank levers 55 fulcrumecl on a common shaft 66 is disposed to overlap the aforementioned extensions 26 so as to engage them when rotated clockwise and against the action of individual springs El. The vertical arms 68 of the bell cranks 65 register opposite certain ones of a corresponding plurality of selector bars 33 which, as will be noted from Fig. '7, are disposed in opposite symmetrical alignments and resemble a scissors-like formation by reason of their peculiar shape. Both alignments of bars 33 are primarily supported upon a common shaft 68 about which they are urged towards each other under influence of individual springs ll. Offset portions "E2 of these bars 33 are normally spaced apart, while intervening the two alignments the set of permutation bars 32 and rotating spreader cam shaft 53 are positioned for performing the selective action.

Selector mechanism Cam shaft 53 is provided with two longitudinal cam surfaces '13 and in rotating counterclockwise, during each half revolution thereof, the shaft 53 tends to spread the selector bars 33 and then to permit them to approach each other. The surfaces or apices '53, while at rest and holding apart the selector bars 33, cause the latter to clear the edges of the permutation bars 352 as indicated in Fig. 7, but immediately after leaving this position, and during rotation as indicated in Fig. 8, the several bars 33 are permitted to approach each other and to contact the edges of the setof permutation bars 32 and for each condition of the several bars 32, an individual alignment of notches M (Fig. 9) is afforded into which the adjacent selector bar 33 is permitted to drop. As may be seen in Figs. 7 and 8 notches ll] located in the portions l2 of bars 33 are provided adjacent the spreader cam shaft 53, so as to permit a sudden drop by a selected bar when. the cam 13 passes from under it. This practice allows greater time for the selector bars 33 to be disposed in position for operation and also hastens its presentment thereinto relative to an operative cycle. Upon selection the foremost portion 15 of the bar 33 either of the upper alignment or of the lower one, as the case may be, presents itself so that its shoulder lfii may be engaged by a striker bar l ll. When the striker bar Ti moves leftwardly, as viewed in Fig. 7, it engages the shoulder '56 and carries the selector bar 33 bodily with a sharp staccato motion, driving it against the lever arm iii of its particular bell crank lever 65. The movement of the several selector bars 33 is defined by elongated slots 18 which straddle the common shaft 59.

Particular attention is now directed to the bell crank shaft 66 as well as the recessed portion i- (Fig. 8) of the several bell cranks 65 which are seated upon the shaft 63. The normal operative movement of the manual keylevers iii? is relatively slight and correspondingly the movement of the automatic control levers all needs also be but slight, yet in the matter of regulating the stroke of the automatic control unit, no critical adjustment is required, since any surplus movement that is imparted to the bell cranks S5 and that may not be fully received by the special levers 2i, but may be resisted by them, is dissipated in displacing its bell crank E5 outwardly and upwardly of its fulcrum seat l9 as indicated in Fig. 8. Not only does this provide a commercially feasible means for adjusting a large plurality of closely positioned and critically operative members, but also it provides a means whereby in the event of any resistance, whatever, on the part of any particular keylever 27 the positive blow originating from the common actuator ill will not damage any of the components in the described mechanical train, but may be harmlessly absorbed by the yielding movement of the bell crank levers 65. After completing its function, each selector bar 33 is returned to its normal position primarily through the influence of its individual spring ll,

but augmented in part by the spring 6 of its associated resilient bell crank lever Record reader Of the several code bars 32 in the present embodiment, six of them are positioned in each cycle of operation through the agency of a record reader mechanism 5 while a seventh one Si is positioned by a special structure subordinated to the previous six bars 32 as will be described hereinafter. Referring now to Fig. 16, the right hand portions of the selector bars 32 will be seen connected to connecting bars 82 which are in turn supported in suitable tracltways 83 for longitudinal and parallel movement. Ends 84 of levers 82 opposite the aforementioned articulation to the selector bars 32 are provided with elongated slots Bil into which are received disc portions 82 of T-shaped transfer levers 8i. Levers 8? are also provided with arms 88 (Fig. 9) which are terminated with abutment lugs F39 and 911.

A corresponding set of six feeler levers 92 pivotally supported directly above the T-shaped levers ill and their lowermost portions (Figs. 9 and 16) are of such proportions that when either of two shoulders $53 or 96 is brought into registration with its associated actuating lug 89 or 9! the other of the shoulders or 9!! just clears its associated lug. Feeler levers are provided with an intermediate orifice Q5 having sufficient clearance with respect to a fixed rod positioned thereinto so as to permit of a slight reciprocative motion by the levers 92 as best suggested by Fig. 16. In its limit of movement each feeler lever 92 may be positioned so that one or another of its shoulders or 84 is brought into registration with its associated abutment lug 89 or 9!. The

several T-levers Elli are supported on a common shaft QT which in turn is carried by one arm of a bell crank lever til pivoted at .38, the short arm of which abuts a short arm of another bell crank lever also pivoted at 89, the other end of which carries a roller ltll spring urged to follow the peripheral surface of a cam 552 secured to the shaft 5 described above. The cam E92 has a gradually ebbing apex and when it is rotated together with its shaft lfi it imparts a regular and reciprocating motion to the lever 93 and its associated T-levers El.

The ieeler levers so called because of their function in sensing the attributes of a transverse line of tape perforations, are provided with arms W3 which carry :"eeler pins 58 and are also provided with projections ms serving to be engaged by a bail I66 for periodically withdrawing the levers 92 in accordance with each successive reading of the record tape. The bail H36 moves as part of a bell crank structure It'll which also is actuated by the shaft ill through a cam H38 and roller EEG engagement sim lar to the one described in connection with lever 98. Thus, it will be seen that in accordance with the timed action of bell crank Hil and lever 98 the set of feelers 92 will first be permitted to rotate counterclockwise during which time those of them whose pins Hi l are not blocked by the record tape ill, Fig. 9, but which are brought into registration with a perforation thereof, will be permitted to rotate until their respective shoulders orregister opposite the abutment lugs Eli while the others which are not so permitted to do will remain in position with their shoulders 93 in registration opposite the abutment lugs 89.

Immediately following this condition, the cam 92 moving lever $8 counterclockwise forces the several T-levers 8'5 into engagement with their respective feeler levers 92 and, depending upon which of the two positions the feeler levers happen to assume, T-levers ill will be correspondingiy positioned and will impart a similar positionment to their associated bars 82. In this manner the combination of perforations present in each transverse alignment in the tape is translated simultaneously to the six code bars 32. Following each such translation the tape HE is stepped forward until another transverse align ment of perforations is brought into registration with the feeler pins This stepping is accomplished by a pawl 5 l and ratchet Wheel l 23, better illustrated in 10. The pawl l E2 is car "ied by a reciprocating lever ll l which receives its motion from a H5 carried by the driven shaft 45 and spring H6. The ratchet wheel it; is secured to a shaft ill which also carries a sprocket wheel H23 having minute teeth H9 especially adapted to register with the central perlorations li-ll of the control tape Ml in accordance with the well known practice. In this mannor the single shaft 65 operates all of the mechanical agencies that control the record reader mechanism.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that while the several feeler levers 92 are brought back to a normal or starting position at some definite point in each cycle of operation, yet the transfer levers 8. and their articulated slide bars 82 are not so restored, but may be set in conformity with a new code combination re gardless of their previous position. This practice permits of an overlap in the operation of the two sets of levers and allows the code bars 32 maximum time of rest during each cycle of operation.

In addition to carrying the record reader operating cams IE2, Hi8 and H5, shaft 45 also carries worm which in cooperation with wheel i222, l, imparts rotation to the spreader cam shaft 53 described above, thus tying up completely the several agencies of the selector mechanism under control of a single shaft, namely, the record reader shalt 15. Since driving worm 52, in thus operating the spreader cam 53 and its associated mechanisms, bears a definite and somewhat critical timed relationship to cams I02, I08 and H5, its angular relationship thereto is made positive by having provided at the abutting hub portions of collar E23 and Worm 52 fine radial serrations E2 3, which when worm 52 is drawn up against collar i223 by means of a nut I25 and thereat locked in position by another nut 525, serves to positively prevent slippage between the two members. In assembling, this construction affords a convenience of permitting the two controlled mechanisms, the spreader cam 53 and the transfer bail i l, to be set at a known relative position after which it is necessary but to move the two timed means, cams i112, 08 and H5 and worm 52, into their obvious positions.

Release mechanism overlap Referring now particularly to Figs. 3 and '7, attention is directed to the matrix release mechanism, the selector bars 33, as well as to the permutation bars 32 and at. The operation of any of the weights 58, either through the medium of the manually controlled key lever 575 or through the automatically controlled lever 2'5, results in releasing a corresponding one of a plurality of time delay mechanisms. This is accomplished by rotating trigger l2l counterclockwise until it ceases to support its cam yoke 528 whereupon the latter member drops until the peripheral teeth 22: of cam l3l, which is pivoted between the tines of said yoke, engage a continuously rotating rubber roller The engagement between the teeth 52% and the roller H32 imparts a clockwise motion to the cam it! which, on account of its eccentricity raises yoke H28 until its remote end #353 abutting a release reed I34 imparts a timed stroke through the matrix release mechanism, illustrated generally at 685, whereupon it is again supported by the trigger l2? pending another release movement.

The purpose of the timed release mechanism, as is generally known, is to permit of sufiicient time in the magazine trip i555 without having to expend the same amount of time in depressing a control key 57 or 2?. The imperativeness of such an element of delay is made of principal importance in view of the fact that the matrices are released and allowed to gravitate into assembled relation, for without such and, particularly under the speed of automatic control, a direct release means might be actuated and be restored to normal position before its matrix has had time to move from its magazine.

Special function bars One of these overlap mechanisms is provided with each of the levers 21 whose function it is to release a matrix I36 from the magazine I31. Certain of the keylevers are adapted to be actuated for the performance of special functions wherein there is no need for the intervention of a time delay element. Each of these functions is accordingly provided with a lever 21 as well as an individual selector bar 33. In contradistinction with the matrix selector bars the special function bars are provided with integral lugs I38, Figs. 3, 9, and 17, each of which is adapted to engage associated mechaniism for the performance of some particular function as will be explained.

Selector bars I39 and MI acting cooperatively determine the positioning of the seventh code bar 8| in the following manner. When the selector bar I39 upon being selected is moved forward, its lip or lug I33 engages one arm of a bell crank I42, Fig. 3, rotating it clockwise and imparting a similar motion to trigger I 13 through the medium of a connecting link I44. This movement of trigger M3 liberates lever M5, with which are integrally associated arms I5I and I52, permitting it to respond to the urge of its spring I45 and to attempt to shift permutation bar 8| leftwardly through engagement arm I5! with projection I49 of bar 3|. In the preferred embodiment of the lever" system for shifting the permutation bar 8|, a slight clearance is provided between the end of lever arm I5I and the projection M9 of bar BI when lever arm I45 is retained by the shoulder I55 of latch I43. The purpose of such clearance is that, if for any reason the permutation bar is not shifted by the spring I41 immediately upon actuation of the latch I43, the end I54 of the lever arm I45 shall be released from the shoulder I55 and shall not be restored to retained relation therewith if the latch I43 returns to unoperated position before the bar 8| is shifted. The clearance permits sufficient rotation of the lever arm I5I and associated arm I45 to assure that upon restoration of the latch I43, the end I54 of lever arm I45 shall be below shoulder I55.

In the preferred construction of the bar BI it is without blocking projections in the portions immediately adjacent to the selector bars I39 and MI, so that there are no narrow, confining code notches in bar 8| into which those selector bars drop, upon selection, and it follows from this that the seventh code bar 8| does not block the selection of either of the selectable bars I39 and Isl in either of its selecting positions. However, the action of the springs 1| upon selectable bars 33 is such that it causes the bars 33 to seek engagement with the edges of the code bars 32 and SI and those selectable bars which encounter code projections rest thereon in frictional engagement. The force exerted by the energy stored in the spring I41 for shifting the shift bar BI may be ineffective until the frictional engagement between the selectable bars and the shift bar is relieved. Such relief occurs once in each cycle of operation of the control mechanism by reason of the previously described action of the spreader cam 13. In this way the shift bar 8! may be restrained from movement by the spring-urged lever arm I5I upon actuation of the latch I43, and its shifting may be delayed until the spreader cam 13 has eliminated frictional restraint upon the shift bar 8!.

In like manner, the selection of cooperative bar IIII. causes the shifting of permutation bar BI in the opposite direction. This is accomplished by a similar lug I38 formed integrally with bar I4I which, upon its selection, engages one arm I52 of the lever I65, moving it counterclockwise about the pivot I53, expanding spring I41, and again latching projection I54 behind shoulder I55 of trigger E i-'5. A third class lever I48 connected to the opposite end of spring I41 is urged thereby to shift bar 8! rightwardly as soon as it is allowed to do so by the relief of frictional restraint upon operation of spreader cam 13. Here, too, as in the first case, the actual shifting of permutation bar 8| awaits the relief of frictional restraint and is effectuated through the instrumentality of the loaded spring M1. is provided a shifting means for a seventh permutation, bar, doubling the permutative possibilities at the expense of two of the sixty-four simple permutations afforded by the six original permutation bars.

As already described the six permutation bars 32 are each correspondingly positioned in accordance with the occurrence or absence of a perforation in its portion of the control form.

By reason of the two possible conditions of each.

bar 32 there are afforded sixty-four simple permutations by the aggregate positions of the six bars. But since the total requirement of a line casting machine standard keyboard is in itself ninety-one operations there being ninety-one.

trol form this bar 8| is positioned by operation;

of one or the other of two selector bars as already described which in turn are selected by the six original bars 32. Thus, while two permutations are consumed in shifting the seventh bar 8| the total resulting permutations are increased to one hundred and twenty-six.

Special selector bar I56 is adapted to be selected upon the reception of an elevator operating signal. Its movement forward engages one arm I51 of a. T-shaped lever I58 thereby rotating it counterclockwise about its pivot I59, Fig. 9, and against the action of its spring I 6| When so rotated another arm I62 of lever I58 pulls connecting link I63 rocking bell crank I64 clockwise (Fig. 15), which by means of its arm I65 forces disengagement cam lever I65 into effective position for withdrawing driven member I6! of clutch 49 and arresting the record reader shaft 45. The other arm I68 of lever I58 is connected to a bar I 69 which during the described rotation is thrust rightwardly (Fig. 9) until its offset portion I'II is latched behind shoulder I12 of spring urged lever I13. An upstanding lug I'M of bar I 69 is pivoted to one end of floating lever I'I5 through which it moves said lever during its own move ment.

A fourth selector bar I68 located at the extreme left position of the several selector bars 33, Fig. 3, is adapted to engage one arm of a first class lever I10, the other arm of which actuates a rail 3 Thus shift mechanism, to be referred to hereinafter. Thus, are described generally the location and operation of the several function selector bars, (so called in contradistinction with the matrix selecting bars) in order that they may be readily associated with their particular controlled mechanism when the latter are described hereinafter.

Assembler rail shift 10 The matrices upon being released from their several channels I16 in the magazine I31, Fig. 2, fall into one or another of a plurality of chutes and from there onto an inclined conveyor belt I11 and thence in turn they are collected upon an as- 5 sembling block I18. This block I18 is provided with a pair of fixed lower rails I19 and a displaceable upper rail I31, also illustrated in Fig. 19. When the upper rail 181 is in its dotted position, Fig. 5, subsequently received matrices assume a position I82, but when this rail IBI is withdrawn as illustrated in solid lines subsequently received matrices will be permitted to drop completely down so as to assume the position I83 illustrated in dotted lines.

In accordance with the usual practice each matrix is provided with two molding impressions I64 and 585 as illustrated in Fig. 19 and, depending upon which of the two positions that the particular matrix assumes upon the assembling 30 block, one or another of the two molding impressions will register opposite the mold chamber in casting the particular slug. The movable rail I8I is articulated to a bell crank lever I86 capable of limited motion and critically adjustable through the medium of stop screws I81-I81. A connecting link I86, pivoted to the bell crank I86 at one arm thereof, is connected to a spring loaded lever I89 pivoted at IQI which has at the opposite end thereof a shouldered portion I92. A trigger I93 affords trip engagement with said shouldered portion I92 and has at one end thereof an upstanding part I94 suitable for manual manipulation, while at the other end I95 thereof it is positioned for release control by the first class lever I16 described above.

Upon the actuation of the selector bar I60 which in turn moves lever I16 this trigger I93 is moved permitting lever I89 to yield in accordance with the urge of spring I96 and to present the shiftable rail I8I in its effective position (dotted lines). This condition may also be attained manually through the operators releasing trigger I93 by taking hold of the upstanding portion I94. In this manner it is possible to assemble part of the line with the matrices in their down position and part with the matrices in their up position either under manual or automatic control.

Elevator control When a sufficient number of matrices has been ctumulated on the assembling block I18 with hch a complete line may be molded, an eleatar operating signal is sent through the record rider mechanism 54 which causes the selecn of elevator operating bar I56 and the arrestf record reader shaft 45 stopping the feeding control form as already described. This -?"c=1oi1 rotates T-shaped lever I58 moving link leftwardly and slide I69 rightwardly. Since wk I66 is connected to clutch release lever I66 5's movement leftwardly, as viewed in Figs. 9 and '5, presents clutch release lever I66 into position for engagement with beveled lug I91 (Fig. 14) 7 carried on the driven portion I61 of spring loaded clutch 49. The motion of record reader shaft 45 continues until lug I91 comes into engagement with lever I 66 whereupon it enters the orifice I98, engaging with its beveled edge I96 the corresponding inclined surface 26I of lever I66 and bringing shaft 45 to a stop. In so doing, lug I91, Fig. 15, as well as driven member I61 are forced out of engagement with respect to driving clutch member 262 and are temporarily so held by means of a detent lever 263 whereby the roller carried thereon is spring urged to fall behind shoulder 264 of disc 205 and to thereby further force driven member I61 rotationally and through cam lug I91 axially out of engagement with respect to driving member 262, by reason of the slight frictional relationship between the driven member I61 and the shaft 45 which is preferably sufiicient to maintain said member I61 well away from any engagement therebetween. In this manner the usual singing noises, which ordinarily exist in spring loaded clutches that are equipped with inclined surface disengagement means, are abated.

Slide bar I69 in moving rightwardly is latched by shoulder I12 of member I13 and in association with T-lever I68, imparts a similar motion to one end of floating lever I15, Fig. 9, to which it is connected at 266. The opposite end of floating lever I 16 is straddled by a yoke 26? which terminates the connecting link whose opposite end is articulated to delivery slide control lever 268 located adjacent the delivery slide 2H and supported so as to be maintained in its extreme clockwise position and against the action of a spring 269, Fig. 2, during the time that the delivery slide arm is in its right hand or normal position. When the slide arm is operated, however, as is the case following a moven'ient of elevator 2I2, it rocks leftwardly and permits lever 268 to respond to the urge of its spring .66 and rotate counterclockwise, thereby thrusting the connecting link 2I3 to the loft and shifting one end 2 I4 of the floating lever I15 and in this man ner contributing in part to the resulting movement of the central portion ZIE thereof so that the latter may depart from the depending arm 2I6 of bell crank 2I1. The other arm of bell crank ZI1 is provided with a shouldered extremity 2I8 adapted to hold clutch release lever 2I9 in its effective position for disengaging the elevator power shaft 68. When, however, bell crank 211 is moved by the central portion 2 i 5 of floating lever I15, which occurrence can happen only upon the combined movement of connecting link 2I3 and bar I69, the foremost portion 258 of bell crank ZI'I is raised sufiiciently to permit spring 22I (Fig. 15) of clutch 2I9 to move it out of its effective position, thereby releasing driven member 222 of the elevator clutch 5! and establishing power connection to shaft 48.

The actuation of floating lever B15 is indicative of the following two predetermined conditions; first, that an elevator signal has been received, and second, that the delivery slide arm 2H is in its extreme right hand position which in turn indicates that the elevator ZIQ has been properly returned in consequence of the preceding elevator signal. Thus, it will be understood that the elevator operating shaft being controlled through bell crank 2 I1 by fioating lever I15, may not be actuated until both of the aforementioned conditions are first established.

Where after a previous operation the elevator has been properly restored and thereafter another elevator operating signal is received,

driving power is imparted through gear 6'5 and driving clutch member 223, driven clutch member 222 to the shaft 8. The continued rotation of shaft 58 carrying with it elevator cam 55 raises elevator shaft arm 224, Fig. 11, by reason of its engagement with follower rolier 2225. The normal rotation of cam 55 operates to move elevator shaft 25 through the medium of arm 22d and auxiliary arm 22?, Fig. 12, which contains a spring loaded detent 22?. The foremost portion of detent 221 is provided with a V-shaped nose 228, which during normal conditions is received into a corresponding notch 229, Fig. 13, in sc-g ment member 2 5i. Upon the contingency of any undue resistance to the motion imparted by cam 55, such as, for example, a disorder in the elevator mechanism or blocking thereof, spring loaded detent 22l will yield, come out of engage-- ment with notch 22d and ride a trackway 2-332 of segment The frictional engagement between detent 22? and its associated segment member 23f may be suitably controlled by varying the tension of spring in accordance with a desirable factor of safety at which said detent is to yield.

Secured to shaft 25 is also a handle 234 for manually operating the elevator raising mechanism. As indicated in Fig. 12, when the cam 55 is in operated position manually controllable handle 23% is normally allowed to assume a position corresponding relatively to However, in the event of any interference with the movement of handle 23f, such as, for example, an operator seated before the control board having his knee -:35 under it, will cause the motion to be received entirely by thumb lever by reason of the projection 238 of arm 23% engaging a protruding pin 23'? of thumb lever 235. Thus, also, in the event of any inadvertent blocking of the handle 23% by an operator, no injuries can occur to him, such as might occur otherwise.

A finger 238, Fig. 9, carried by elevator operating arm 224 is adapted to overlie an extended portion 239 of a release bail 2st, normally spring urged, as. at 242, to engage; by means of its arm 29.3, the upper extremity of clutch release lever 886. During the rise of arm 224 when the elevator mechanism is first set in motion, finger 238 releases bail 2M so that the clutch lever 526 is thereby held in operative position for disengaging the clutch to of the record reader control shaft 45. In the course of rotation, roller 25 rides onto the apex of cam and during the extended dwell thereof maintains the elevator 2!?! in its upward position, but following this, the elevator having delivered its load of matrices to the delivery slide, roller 325 rides down from the apex portion of cam 55 and again assumes a normal position, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 16. correspondingly, finger again engages projection 2353 of bail 2M, thereby permitting clutch release lever ltii to be moved out of operative position and at once releasing the driven member i671 to establish driving connection to shaft d5.

During the elevator operating cycle and while shaft 48 is rotating, T-lever B58 is maintained for a short duration in its extreme counterclockwise position by means of the off-set portion ill of lever 569 engaging the shoulder N2 of a trigger member H3. Shortly after shaft dii is started into rotation, trigger release cam 55 engages side arm 244 of trigger H3 depressing it sufficiently to permit bar its to override the shoulder portion H2, thereby freeing T-lever 853, and allowing it in response to spring liii, to again assume its clockwise position. In thus moving lever I58, spring l6l also disengages release lever I66 through the medium of link W3, while at the same time floating lever H5 is partially restored to normalcy through its connection 2% with bar I69 thereby permitting bell crank 2!? toagain present itself in position for holding release lever Z l 9 in effective position. Shaft 68 then completes its cycle coming to rest again when its beveled lug (identical with that l iii of clutch is) reenters the opening of lever 219.

As will be noted from Fig. 15 clutch release lever 2i9 is normally spring urged out of position to engage the lug of driven member 222 of the elevator power shaft l8, so that to restore it a. positive means is employed consisting of a bell crank lever 265, one arm of which carries a follower roller 2-2 5 disposed to ride the periphery of clutch cam 24''. This cam is similar to the one 295 of the record reader shaft 45 and also functions in the same capacity with respect to its associated clutch members as does the latter. Its operation as a means for effecting the disengagement of elevator power shaft clutch s3 is collateral to its function as a part of the clutch detent mechanism and since the objects of its two functions are merely sequential in each cycle of operation the same cam is made to serve both purposes. The other arm of bell crank M5 engages lever 2E9 when the apex of cam 2d? op-' poses roller 2% and forces it, against the tendencies of its spring 2%, to reengage the revolving lug of driven member 222. Thus, in effect, the several components of this mechanism constitute a single revolution clutch since they come into play spontaneously during each complete rotation of shaft 43. When the elevator shaft 38 is actuated it completes one revolution during which time it performs all of its functions including the holding of record reader shaft 55 in arrested position and thereafter releasing it and disengaging itself. ts operation is inevitable though in terference is had with the operation of the elevator itself or in the event of any other irregularities subsequent to the elevator cam 55 in the operating train. The movement of link lti rightwardly, Fig. 9, pursuant to its release by latch I13 does not release shaft 45 for rotation unless the elevator 2E2 has been returned and ready to re-- ceive a new line of matrices in its assembly block I18. This prerequisite is manifest when upon the descent of the elevator finger 2E8 engages projection 239 rotating bell crank 2M and withdrawing arm MS from its blocking position behind lever iSfi after which the latter member in re-. sponse to spring M2 assumes its ineffective position.

Common actuator Worm 52 secured to shaft 55, Fig. l, is adapted to engage a gear I22 which is secured to an extended portion of cam shaft 53 and is thereby adapted to impart rotary motion to said cam shaft in timed relation to the several other selector mechanism functions. However, since cam shaft 53 is provided with two apices l3 oppositely aligned, worm 52 bears such ratio to its companion gear i 2 as to permit two cycles of operation to shaft 45 while cam shaft 53 is making but one. At the opposite extremities of shaft 53, Fig. 3, just inside the side frames 34 and 35 are located striker cams 24B and 2&9, Fig. 18.

These cams 24S and 2 19 are symmetrically positioned with respect to each other and are adapted to engage follower rollers 25I carried upon bell i cranks s52. lfhe intermediate portions of each bell crank are provided with slots 253 into which are adapted to slide end rollers 254 of striker bar i'i. Springs 255 urge rollers 25! constantly against the peripheral cam surfaces of cams 2G8 and Mil and in cooperation with the abrupt apices I256 thereof serve to impart a sharp staccato motion to the striker bar ll, thereby simulating manual control operators touch as mentioned above.

Premature elevator signal interceptor It has been mentioned that the preferred practice of the present invention entails adherence to the use of standard. perforated control forms of the six unit type. This control tape is sometimes also used for controlling other automatic devices wherein the details of operation and control may vary specifically from that which is requisite in the instant case. Accordingly, means are herewith disclosed for reconciling to the present system of operation certain practices which are essentially foreign to it. So long as elevator operating signals are properly spaced apart, with sufficient numbers of matrix-operating signals therebetween, there will be no need for the intervention of the mechanism about to be described, but in the event one of these signals follows too closely upon its preceding one this mechanism operates to prevent the subsequent signal from becoming effective. The practice of perforating two of these signals adjacently is sometimes had for purposes of controlling other mechanisms with the same tape, which mechanisms require the practice for their peculiar attributes.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 17 attention is directed to the delivery slide operating arm 2!! of the principal machine. When matrices are assembled in the block H8 they intervene an up-right lug of slide 257 and a star wheel (not shown) and in so doing move the assembly slide 251 leftwardly, Fig. 2. Until enough matrices are thus assembled for moving it clear thereof, the right end of the slide 25? engages one arm 258 of a bell crank 25!] maintaining it in its clockwise extremity against the influence of spring 26!. The other arm 262 of bell crank 259 is connected through link 2633 to a cradle 2% which carries a bloclL'ng arm 265 normally disposed to overlie the end portion of an extension 266 formed integrally with elevator selector bar !56.

In this position, when an insufficient number of matrices are assembled and an elevator signal is received, the blocking of extension 265 by arm prevents the selection of bar l5ii since it cannot then r spond to the urge of its spring H though an alignment of code notches id is presented under it by the permutation bars 32. As soon, however, as sufficient matrices are assembled to permit spring 26! to effect a movement of cradle 264; that is, by the moving of slide 25'! out of ran of boll. crank arm 258, a subsequent elevator s gnal may be fully eifective and may cause the selective operation of bar E55 to actuate the elevator. As illustrated the proportions are. such that but few matrices will suffice to condition bar i5 3 to be selectable, it being understood that changes to vary this prerequisite are only a matter of mechanical expediency.

Control switch shunting out the unit. A manual control lever 26? is secured to a horizontal shaft 2268, Figs. 2, 14, and 15, the rearward end of which carries a cam 269 in cooperative alignment with an extended portion iii! of lever arm E65 which in turn acts upon the disengagement lever of clutch E9, as already described. In solid lines in Fig. 15 is shown the cam 269 maintaining lever H3 in effective position to stop shaft 45 thereby arresting the record reader and discontinuing all activity in the unit beyond the. constantly rotating shaft ii and its associated driven gears M and il. Under this condition the keyboard 22 may be controlled manually with no interference to or on the part of the unit mechanism. In its dotted line position, however, cam 269 clears projcction Z'il of lever l6 i permitting spring 2T2 to move lever ii-ifi out of engagement with clutch member l6? thereby restoring the motion to rec- 0rd reader shaft 15 and rendering the unit operative.

Operation In the operation of the present device, a perforated control tape iii is previously prepared, as described in the reference above, and is inserted into the record reader mechanism, generally indicated at E i, where it progresses in a step by step manner under the actuation of an intermittent motion shaft iii which is moved by pawl H2 and ratchet H3 engagement, as described. During the momentary rest period in the progress of the tape the several feelers 92 are permitted to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 16, during which time those of them whose pins EM encounter perforations in the tape ill continue to so rotate until their abutment shoulders 94 register opposite the right hand lugs 9! of T-levers 8! while those whose feeler pins I64 do not encounter perforations are blocked in position with their shoulders 93 opposite their lugs 39. Following this and before the several feelers are collectively reset by bail E86, Fig. 16, the transfer levers 87 are bodily reciprocated by cam H52 and in so doing a setting of the several feeler levers is correspondingly translated to the transfer lever 8'5. While the set of levers 81 rock in a direction transverse to that of their associated bars 82, nevertheless they continue to engage said bars by reason of the elongated slots 85 which are ample to accommodate the transfer lever discs 86 throughout their entire motion. The positioning of levers 8? simultaneously effects the corresponding positioning of bars 552 as well as that of their associated code bars 32.

For each permutation of positions in which said code bars 32 are set, one of the plurality of selector bars 33 is dropped into a transverse alignment of notches M- and is permitted to assume a position substantially as that indicate-d in Fig. 8, whereupon the striker "i7 engaging shoulder 36 moves the entire bar 33 forwardly. Where the particular bar selected happens to be one of the few function bars particularly described above, a matrix is not thereafter released, but instead a preparatory operation is consummated depending upon which of these bars it happens to be. When, however, a matrix selector bar is thus selected to be moved forward by the striker bar l'l, it rotates the resilient finger 65 corresponding to it, which in turn actuates a particular one of the plurality of special key levers 27, thereby releasing the associated time delay mechanism and subsequently releasing a particular matrix l36. The matrices thus released are received through their respective chutes and the conveyor belt- I11 onto an assembling block I18. In being positioned onthe assembling block the matrices may be supported in either of two positions. as indicated in Fig; 5, in dotted lines depending upon the presentment or withdrawal of the upper rail I-8I. The control of this rail IBI lies within the province of a special selector bar IE8 responsive to a special conditioning signal.

When a sufficient number of matrices are accumulated upon the assembling block I18 to comprise a complete casting line, an elevator sig-' nal is thereafter received. This signal operates to select bar I55 provided, however, that sufficient matrices are in position on the assembling block. When bar I56 is permitted to drop into selective position for moving forward as described above it causes the counterclockwise rotation of T-lever I58, moves bar I69 rightwardly until its ofiset portion I1I is latched behind shoulder I12 and causes the arrest of record reader shaft 45. Although the record reader shaft 45" has been thus arrested the elevator power shaft 48' is not thereby started unless, too, the delivery slide arm. 2 II is in'its normal position so that through rod2'l3 and yoke 201 the end 2I4 of floating lever I15 is in its rightward position. While the elevator'mechanism'is set-in motion the record reading mechanism is stopped, pending its return at the conclusion of the: completed matrix delivering. operation. After elevator power shaft 48 has completed its. cycle and has stopped itself at the conclusion thereof, record reader shaft 45 is immediately started into operation by the rocking of bail 24I andl the preceding release of latch I13 by cam 56' after which T-lever I58 is freed to return to normalcy. By this structure isv permitted the assembling of another line of matriceswhile awaiting the return of the delivery slide 2| I. The leftward motion of lever I15 permits the central portion 2I5 thereof to move away from the depending arm 2I6 of bell crank 2I1, whereupon during the cycle of rotation of shaft 48, when side arm 244 of latch I13 is' engaged by the apex of cam 56, the offset portion I1I of slide lever I69 is permitted to override the shoulder I12 in response to" the urge of spring I6I transmitted through T-lever I58. This causes another arm I62 of lever I58 to shift the link I63rightwardly as viewed in Fig. 9, effecting the reengagement of clutch elements I61 and'202 for driving shaft 45 when permitted to do so by bail 24I as already described.

At-a point in the revolution of shaft 48 clutch cam 24-1 engages the roller 246, Fig. 15, of bell crank 245 moving clutch lever 2I8 into engagement Witlrits associated driven clutch member 2-22 to arrest further movement of shaft 48. In this manner, it will be understood that but one cycle of' operation is permitted to the elevator shaft 48 and that at the conclusion thereof it' is automatically brought to-rest under its own control and independently of any of the rest of the F unit mechanism. Thus, too, it will be noted that when the elevator operating power shaft 48 is functioning therecord reader shaft 45 is arrested and conversely when the record reader mechanism is in operation the elevator power shaft 48 is arrested and that under no condition is it possible for both of these shafts to be operating at the same instant. This correlation between the two subordinated driving shafts 45 and 48 functions to assure safety control insofar as each is dependent for itsinitiation upon the complete performance of the other in its preceding cycle of operation.

While the invention has been describedv in detail with respect to a particular application thereof, it will be understood that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It istherefore not intended to be limited to any of the specific structure disclosed but to be permitted a latitude of interpretation in accordance with the terms of the hereunto appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a control mechanism for linecasting and composing machines, a driving source, a driven train, and a control member operated under the joint control of two predetermined conditions for engaging said driving source and said driven train.. 2. In a selector mechanism, a record reader including a set of signal sensitive elements,. a corresponding set of permutation elements, means toposition said permutation elements in accordance with the. action of said corresponding signal sensitive elements, .a plurality of members individually selectable in accordance with each positionmentof. said set of permutation elements, and meansto increase the aggregate permutative possibilities of said set of permutationelements without increasing said setof signal sensitive elements including a further permutation element, means for positioning said further permutation element comprising ones of said members. for moving said further permutation element to each of its positions, and spring loaded instrvlnentalities intermediate said ones-of said members and said fur-- ther permutation element whereby the positionment ofsaid further permutation element may await sequence in a cycle of operation after actuation of any of said ones of said members.

3. In a permutation selector the method of increasing the aggregate selective possibilities-without increasing the number. of. signal controlled primary permutation elements which includes providing additional permutation elements, assigning certain of the-original selective possibilitiesto the function of moving the additional permutation elements, and employing :spring loaded motive agentsinmoving the additional elements whereby theactual movement of the additional elements may be permitted to await clearance from obstruction.

4. In a permutation selector, a set of permutation: elements individually positioned in accordance-with-components of code signals, a plurality of function members individually selectable in accordance witheach position of said set of elements, and a further-permutation element positioned by a pairof said function members including spring loaded instrumentality, and means whereby the positioning of said further element is controlled by a signal affecting said pair of said function members but is executed by said instrumentality.

5. In an: automatic control unit for linecasting machines having composingmechanism and conveying mechanism, adriving train, a driven train for operating said conveying mechanism, signal controlled means for controlling the operative connection between said driving train, said: driven train including'a control lever centrally engaged to effect said operative connection, control engagement' between said conveying mechanism and one end of said lever, and control engagement between said signal controlled means and the other end of saidv lever whereby the combined action of both of said control engagements establish said operative connection.

6. In a composing machine, a plurality of function weights each having several engagement notches, a plurality of manual control levers having single direction operative engagement Within certain ones of said notches, and a plurality of automatically operated control levers having single direction operative engagement within certain others of said notches.

7. Control mechanism for plural function apparatus including a set of uniform function members each affording plural engagement accommodations, a set of manually operated engagement levers cooperating with certain of said engagement accommodations, and a set of automatically operated levers cooperating with certain other of said accommodations whereby the cooperation of each of said sets of levers is independent of that of the other of said sets of levers.

8. In a keyboard control system the method of adapting an automatic control unit without affecting the mechanical balance or touch of the manually operated keys which comprises providing one direction engagement between the keys and their associated elements, and providing similar but other engagement between the automatic control unit and the same associated elements.

9. In a selector mechanism, a plurality of function bars to be selected, a set of permutation elements for selecting said bars, signal controlled means for setting certain of said elements, and function bar controlled means for setting other of said elements including a pair of cooperating L levers, an engagement piece secured to said other of said elements and disposed between said levers, spring elements mutually connecting said levers, and latching means for each of said levers whereby the movement of said other of said elements is controlled by said function bar controlled means but executed by spring connected levers.

10. In a linecasting and composing machine, a plurality of matrix releasing elements, mechanism responsive to perforations in a tape for controlling the operation of the matrix releasing elements, an elevator into which the matrices are assembled, a cam for moving said elevator, a clutch through which power is communicated to said cam, and means effective for causing the disengagement of said clutch invariably for each cycle of its rotation.

11. In a linecasting and composing machine, a plurality of matrix releasing elements, permutation bars, means operated in response to perforations in a tape for setting said permutation bars, means controlled through the instrumentality of said permutation bars for operating the matrix releasing elements, an elevator, power driven means for operating said elevator, and means effective irrespective of the position of said elevator for invariably discontinuing the driving connection for each cycle of operation.

12. In a linecasting and composing machine, a plurality of matrix releasing elements, permutation bars, mechanism responsive to code perforations in a tape for setting said permutation bars in varying permutations, means controlled by the setting of the permutation bars for operating said matrix releasing elements, an elevator, power actuated means for operating said elevator, a delivery slide, and means controlled jointly by said delivery slide and said permutation bars for rendering said power driven mechanism effective for the operation of said elevator.

13. In a linecasting machine, a conveying mechanism including a first conveyor and a second conveyor, an automatic control unit including a record reader, a source of operating power for said conveyors, and means under joint control of said second conveyor and said record reader for establishing communication between said source and said first conveyor.

14. The combination of claim 13 including means under control of said communication for automatically disengaging itself predeterminedly.

15. In a linecasting and composing machine, a plurality of matrix releasing elements, a permutation mechanism controlled by signal storage tape for operating said matrix releasing elements, a cam shaft, means on said cam shaft for effecting the step by step advancement of the tape during the continuous rotation thereof, a clutch through which power is communicated to said shaft, an elevator in which the matrices are assembled, and a latch rocked incident the attainment by said elevator of matrix receiving condition for directly releasing said clutch to communicate power to said cam shaft.

16. In a linecasting and composing machine, a plurality of matrix releasing elements, a permutation mechanism controlled by signal storage tape for operating said matrix releasing elements, a cam shaft, means on said cam shaft for effecting the step by step advancement of the tape during the continuous rotation thereof, a clutch through which power is communicated to said shaft, an elevator in which the matrices are assembled, and a latch operated directly by the elevator for controlling the engagement of said clutch.

17. An automatic unit for keyboard control including the combination of a plurality of keylevers to be operated, a plurality of. actuators for operating said keylevers spring urged into selected position, a set of permutation bars severally positionable for permitting said actuators to move into selected position individually, a transverse cam for reciprocating said actuators collectively, a mechanism under control of a perforated tape for positioning said bars, and a driving mechanism for imparting timed operative motion to each of said elements from a common mover.

18. In an automatic control unit for operating keyboards, the combination with a plurality of keylevers of a corresponding plurality of selectable actuating members, a set of permutation elements for selectively conditioning said members individually, a set of feelers for sensing perforations in a control form, and a set of transfer levers for receiving a code setting from said feelers andimparting it to said elements.

19. The combination with a composing machine having a keyboard control of an automatic control unit including a plurality of key actuators, special function actuators, a record reader, an actuator selecting mechanism, and a common shaft for imparting operative motion to all of said elements of said unit.

20. In an automatic control unit for linecasting and composing machines, a plurality of actuators, a mechanism for selectively conditioning said actuators individually, a mechanism for operating conditioned ones of said actuators, a constantly rotating driving shaft, and a driven shaft for operating said mechanisms comprising a single shafting, a constantly rotating driven gear loosely mounted on said shafting and in communication with said driving shaft, and a coupling member secured to said shaft permitting Eli 50 -25, In a control unit for longitudinally slidable movement foreflectin driving connection between saidlgear and 'said shafting.

21. In a linecasting and composing machine,

posed in accordance with said doubleedged-accommodations, spring elements: for urging said:

members againstsaid bars, and a camvfor cycll cally withdrawing: said members from saidz bars. 22. In a linecasting and-composing machine, an automatic. control: unit including' a. plura-lltyctoppositely aligned' s'electableefunction membersya set of: elements for selecting-said members: in-- dividually, an operating; shaft, means-on-"saidi' shaft for cyclically withdrawing saidmembers:

from said elements, and-means: onsaid shaft for; operating s'el'ectedlonesz. of: said! members.

23. In a lin'ecasting machine, a conveying. mechanism including afirst conveyor and: a. second convey'or, an auto'matic control unit including a record reader, asource of. operating power for said conveyors and said recordlreader,.means. under joint control of said second conveyorand v said record reader upon the predetermined .respouse of said readerfor establishing comn'ulni-v cation between said'source and. saidfirst coniveyor, means under control of said. communication for automatically =interrupting said communication predeterminedly, means controlledby said record reader for disconnectingsaid source of power fromsaid' record readcr upon said predetermined response of' said reader, andadditional' means for reconnecting said source with said record reader. l 40 24. In an' automatic operating device: for a control keyboardta plurality-0t": keyle-vers adapted for manual. operation, a corresponding plur'ality'of automatic actuators each havi ngan engagement portion disposed to en'coun'ter'one of said keylevers upon-the operation. of said'vactu ator and to remain freeof engagement-upon the manual operation ofits associated keylever; and asignal responsive means for individually se-' lecting said actuators.

automatically and selectively operating a plurality of keyl'evers adapted for manual operation, a-plurality ot key lever actuators, a setfiof notched permutation elements severally positioned to permit said actuators to be operated individually, a corresponding set of'feelersintermittentlysubjected to :the impressions of a moving. recordstrip, and; acorresponding set of transfer levers severally movable in timed relation to the intermittent movement of said feelers for: receiving; a. record; from said feelers and'transferringtt. tosaid elements.

26. In a line composing machine, a matrix releasing mechanism, an automatic mechanism responsive to control signals for selectively operating said releasing mechanism, a. common driving source for motivating. each of; said mechanisms, a driving', connection betweensaid source and said automatic mechanism, and meanseffective to withhold said driving connection un til both of two predetermined conditions have been established. 27. In a line composing machine, a' plurality of manually controllable keylevers, a corresponding, plurality ofautomatically operable actuat- 75 mg elements having individual engagement-with saidzxkeylevers.respectively by means of portions thereof overlyingsaid keylevers in arrears of their operating path so as to be effective for moving said. keylevers when said. actuating elements. are operated while-not. affecting the leverage. ratio: of said keyleversv when. the latter are operated: manually:

'28; In. allne. composing machine, a keyboard: comp nis-ingwa plurality of keylevers arranged in rows 'for manual operation, a corresponding plurality of? selectable elements for automatically operating said .keylevers alternately and oppositely 'staggeredwand disposed below; said keylevers, av seti-ofr' permutation bars between the alter-- natealignments of said elements severally positionable for individually selecting them, means: for moving: each selector element towards. sai'd bars upon its: selection, and means for thereafter moving said: selector element. to actuate one of said: keylevers.

29'. automatic control unit for individually manipulating thekeys. of akeyboard mechanism including a plurality of actuators correspondinglinnumber to the number of keys to:

be controlled, engagementv portions associated with said actuators and normally disposed ad.- jac'ent said key'l'evers in arrears of theiroperating path, a plurality of selectable elements arranged in alternately staggered and opposite alignments, a set of selector bars intermediate said alignments, signal controlled means. for pcsitioning said selector bars: to select one of said elements, means for urging a selected element towards saidbars, and a common actuator for thereafter moving saidsel'ected element to encounter its associated" actuator for ultimately operating oneof'said keys.

30. Iii-a selectormechanism, a plurality of selectable elements, a'set of permutati ve selector bars, signal controlled means for variously po- 5 sitioning said bars to efiect'the individual selection-of said elements, and a spreader interposed to block the selective response of a selected elementfor a predetermined interval when said bars are positioned to allow its selective freedom and to-per'mit said response after the transition of a predetermined interval.

" 31. Inalin'e composing machine, a manual control keyboard having bayonet pin projections, and'an automatic control unit including signal controlled actuating means for said keyboard and bayonet receivinglugs for engaging said pins and thereby supporting said unit.

32. The combination with a manual control keyboardof anautomatic keylever operating unit,

and bayonet-connection means for supporting said unit bysaid keyboard;

'33. The combination with a manual control keyboard having a supporting base, of a signal controlled operating unit underslung thereof, a

'ative tocont'rol' the drivingrelationbetween said driving unit and said driven'mechanism.

including a set of signal sensitive elements, a set of permutation elements, means to position said permutation elements in response to said signal sensitive elements, a plurality of members individually selectable in accordance with the positionment of said set of permutation elements, means to increase the aggregate permutative possibilities of said set of permutation elements without increasing said set of signal sensitive elements including an additional permutation element, means for positioning said element comprising a selectable member for moving it to one of its respective positions, and means controlled by said selectable member and operatively associated with said permutation element whereby the movement of said additional permutation element is delayed until a predetermined point in the cycle of operation of the selector mechanism.

37. In a linecasting and composing machine, a plurality of matrix releasing elements, mechanism responsive to perforations in a tape for determining the operation of the matrix releasing elements, an elevator, power actuated means for operating said elevator, a delivery slide, and means controlled jointly by said delivery slide and said mechanism for rendering said power driven mechanism effective for the operation of said elevator following the operation of said elements.

38. In a linecasting and composing machine, a plurality of matrix releasing elements, a mecha nism controlled by signal storage tape for operating said matrix releasing elements, means for effecting a step-by-step advancement of the tape, means through which power is communicated to said tape advancing means, an elevator in which the matrices are assembled, and means operated when the elevator is in a matrix receiving position for directly controlling the application of power to said tape advancing means.

39. In a composing machine, a plurality of matrix release mechanisms each including a time delay element, a constantly rotating actuator for said mechanisms, an automatic control unit for initiating said mechanisms including a plurality of selectable members having one-directional engagement with said mechanisms, a set of permutation elements for selectively conditioning said members individually, and a regularly moving actuator for acting upon said release mechanisms through the medium of said members.

40. In an automatic control mechanism, a continuously rotatable driving source, a driven member to be actuated by said source, a periodically operative organ actuated by said member, a clutch for establishing driving connection between said source and said driven member, and a control means for said clutch comprising a lever movable by two independent components and adapted to influence said clutch by a resultant movement.

41. In an automatically controlled apparatus, a mechanism to be periodically operated, a constant driving source and means for connecting said source to said mechanism periodically and upon the prevalence of two conditions, including a lever, and means for moving said lever under the control of either of said conditions, the resultant movement of both of said last mentioned means being operative to establish said connection.

42. In a linecasting and composing machine, a matrix composing mechanism and an automatic control unit including means responsive to sig- 36. In a selector mechanism, a record reader.

nalsstored in a record form for correspondingly initiating the performance of said composing mechanism, and a device for acting upon matrices assembled by said composing mechanism, said device being initially responsive to said control unit and including a conditioning means for permitting the response of said device to said control unit only in the event of predetermined consummate operation by said device during its previous performance.

43. In a signal responsive device, a set of code bars, a corresponding set of signal responsive elements each related to one of said code bars, means for positioning each code bar in accordance with its related element, an additional code bar, means responsive to a condition of the several of said elements for positioning said additional code bar including a mechanism initiated by said certain condition of said several elements and permitting a variable delay interval in the positioning of said additional code bar.

44. In an automatic control mechanism having a plurality of individually selectable elements capable of performing individual functions, the method of delaying the performance of certain of said functions which comprises the steps of permitting the partial selection of said elements in response to their selecting signals, and thereafter upon the termination of a predetermined time interval permitting the completion of the selection of said elements and their resulting selective operation.

45. In an automatic control device, a power transmitting shaft, an operating shaft, signal controlled means for interrupting the power transmitting shaft and for rendering operative the operating shaft, a member actuated by the operating shaft, means on the operating shaft for partially disabling the power transmitting shaft interrupting means, and means actuated by the member for completing the disablement of the power transmitting shaft interrupting means.

46. In an automatic control device, a power transmitting shaft, an operating shaft, a source of power, a clutch for connecting the power transmitting shaft to the source of power, a clutch throw-out lever, means effectuated from the power transmitting shaft for actuating the clutch throw-out lever and for rendering operative the operating shaft, a member actuated by the operating shaft, means controlled by the clutch throw-out lever operating means for primarily latching the clutch throw-out lever in operated position, means rendered effective at the beginning of the actuation of said member and rendered ineffective at the end of the actuation of said member for secondarily latching said clutch throw-out lever, and means carried by said operating shaft for disabling the primary latching means during the operation of said member.

47. In a linecasting and composing machine, a matrix assembling mechanism, a slug casting mechanism, a conveying mechanism operative between said assembling and said casting mechanisms, an automatic control unit including a common driving source, a record reader, means for controlling the operation of said conveying mechanism, and means operable by an action of said conveying mechanism and an action of said record reader for causing the operation of said means and the control of said conveying mechanism.

48. In a linecasting and composing machine, a matrix assembling mechanism, a linecasting 

